Batting

CATCH ALL THE ACTION: A live video stream courtesy of BigWest.tv, audio broadcast and live stats will be available for No. 4 Cal State Fullerton's three-game series against UC Santa Barbara this weekend. Fans can find links by accessing the baseball schedule page at FullertonTitans.com. In addition, on Tuesday at Pepperdine, a live video feed as well as live stats and an audio broadcast will be available.

TICKETS: Single-game tickets for all home games can be purchased online at www.FullertonTitans.com as well as in person or by calling the Cal State Fullerton Athletics Ticket Office at (657) 278-2783 from the hours of 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. On gamedays, tickets can be purchased one hour prior to first pitch at the Goodwin Field ticket box office.

ARMED FORCES WEEKEND: The Titans will host Armed Forces Weekend at Goodwin Field. All past and present military are invited to attend this weekend's series against UC Santa Barbara with two free general admission tickets.

SOCIAL MEDIA: Follow @BaseballTitans for daily updates during the 2013 season.

TITANS IN THE BIG WEST Cal State Fullerton was picked as the favorite to win the 2013 Big West title as selected by the 10 conference head coaches that voted in the Big West Baseball Preseason Coaches Poll, it was released by the league on Jan. 31.

Fullerton, winner of the past three league titles, captured the 2012 league crown with a 17-7 mark, one game ahead of Cal Poly.

Overall, Cal State Fullerton has totaled 26 conference championships dating back to 1975, including 10 in the last 14 years.

Overall, Cal State Fullerton has posted a dominant 675-235-2 conference record over 38 seasons.

CURRENT STATUS Cal State Fullerton sits at the top of the Big West standings and is the only Big West team currently undefeated in conference play. The Titans have a two-game lead over Cal Poly (22-8, 4-2) and Cal State Northridge (18-15, 4-2).

UC SANTA BARBARA: UC Santa Barbara enters the week as one of four teams in the Big West Conference with a 3-3 league record. Last week in Santa Barbara, the Gauchos took two-of-three from then 21st-ranked Cal Poly. Entering the week, the Gauchos ranked third in the Big West Conference in runs scored. As a team, the Gauchos are hitting .298 with runners in scoring position and have scored a runner from third with less than two outs in 64.1% of their opportunities.

VERSUS UC SANTA BARBARA: Cal State Fullerton holds an all-time record of 95-33 against UC Santa Barbara, including a 49-16 advantage at home as well as a 64-26 mark in Big West play. The Titans have won five straight three-game series against the Gauchos, including sweeps in 2009 and 2011, and last lost a series to the Gauchos at Goodwin Field in 2007.

CSF vs. PEPPERDINE

First Year Played/Last Year Played: 1975/2012

Overall Record: 56-41

Current Streak: Won 2

Overall Conference (SCBA) Record: 19-13

NCAA Regional Record: 5-2

NCAA College World Series Record: 1-1

Overall NCAA Postseason Record: 6-3

Home Record: 32-17

Road Record: 19-22

Neutral Record: 5-2

Longest Winning Streak: 4 games, 4 times (5/1/01 to 3/4/03)

Longest Losing Streak: 8 games (4/6/90 to 3/16/94)

Extra Innings: 2-1

Most Runs Scored in a Game: 30 runs (4/26/80)

Most Runs Scored in a Game: by Opponent 15 runs, 2 times (last on 2/23/97)

Largest Margin of Victory: 25 runs (4/26/80)

Largest Margin of Defeat: 11 runs (3/18/08)

PEPPERDINE NOTES: Pepperdine travels to San Diego this weekend to take on the Toreros in a rematch of last year's de facto West Coast Conference Championship. The Waves are coming off a series win against Washington, while San Diego dropped two-of-three at LMU last weekend. Pepperdine won its third non-conference series of the year vs. Washington (2-1), and through 31 games the Waves have clubbed 20 home runs.

VERSUS PEPPERDINE: Cal State Fullerton and Pepperdine have met 97 times dating back to 1975. The Titans hold a 56-41 advantage in the all-time series, but the Titans have a losing record (19-22) against the Waves on the road. Pepperdine is one of seven opponents on Fullerton's 2013 schedule that reached the 2012 NCAA Regionals. The teams met earlier this season on Feb. 20 at Eddy D. Field, with Fullerton prevailing 6-3.

A JUMP IN THE RANKINGS: Cal State Fullerton entered the week at No. 4 in the Baseball America Top-25 poll. The Titans have been ranked in the top-10 for six straight weeks.

OFF TO A HOT START: Currently with a record of 29-4, Fullerton's start is the best for the program since the 1996 squad opened the year 31-2. The NCAA RPI currently rates Fullerton at No. 8 in the country as the Titans boast a 6-1 record against top-25 teams. The closest Big West program to Fullerton's ranking is Cal Poly at No. 50.

ROOKIE ARMS: Cal State Fullerton's 2.54 ERA leads the Big West Conference and ranks 11th in the nation, and a big part of the pitching staff's success is a pair of freshman right-handers in the weekend rotation, with Thomas Eshelman getting the nod on Friday nights, followed by Justin Garza (Saturday).

On Feb. 15, 2013, Eshelman (7-1, 1.09) became the first freshmen to start a season opener for the Titans since Feb. 5, 1987 when Mark Beck took the mound vs. Saint Mary's. Eshelman didn't disappoint the sellout crowd of 3,508 as CSF edged USC, 3-2, on Feb. 15. In the win, Eshelman allowed two unearned runs on four hits while striking out six in six innings of work.

Currently, Eshelman's ERA of 1.09 tops the Big West Conference, ranks 14th in the nation, and third amongst freshman in the country this season. In 58 innings pitched, the rookie from Carlsbad, Calif., has yet to issue a walk, while striking out 39. Eshelman's streak is the longest for Fullerton since Wes Roemer tossed 65 and 2/3 innings in 2006 without issuing a base on balls. In addition, Eshelman's 0.55 WHIP (walks plus hits per inning pitched) leads the nation. WHIP is a measurement of the number of baserunners a pitcher has allowed per inning pitched.

Garza (6-0, 2.33) has picked up wins over Nebraska, TCU, Oregon, Texas A&M, Oral Roberts and Pacific during his eight weeks on the mound. In 54 innings, Garza has surrendered 14 earned runs while fanning 44. Garza was the first Titan freshman since Dylan Floro in 2010 to win five straight starts.

FREE RIDE: Cal State Fullerton leads the country allowing just 1.48 walks per 9.0 innings pitched. In addition, the Titans' 4.9 strike-to-walk ratio also ranks first in the country. Sunday starter Grahamm Wiest, has totaled a team-leading 47 strikeouts to lead Fullerton and rank third in the Big West. In addition, Wiest's 9.4 strikeout-to-walk ratio ranks eighth in the nation.

AT THE PLATE: Entering the 2013 season, Cal State Fullerton had 15 position players from a year ago returning to the roster, including six starters. That wealth of experience has helped the Titans to its No. 4 ranking and 29-4 record. Fullerton's offense currently leads the Big West or is tied for the lead in the following offensive categories: on-base percentage (.396), runs scored (220), hits (323), RBIs (198), triples (17), walks (155), hit-by-pitch (56) and stolen bases (47).

EARLY AND OFTEN: A key ingredient to Fullerton's success has been the club's ability to score early and often. Cal State Fullerton has outscored opponents in 39-6 in the first inning in 2013, and Fullerton has outscored opponents 85-23 in the first three innings of games this year. Fullerton is 21-1 in 2013 when scoring first.

On the mound, Lorenzen is a perfect 12-for-12 in save attempts, which is tied for tops in the nation. In addition, Lorenzen's 28 career saves rank fourth all-time at Fullerton.

NOTES FROM LAST WEEK: Currently with a record of 29-4, Fullerton's start is the best for the program since the 1996 squad opened the year 31-2…in Tuesday's 6-4 win over USC, the Titans hit back-to-back home runs (J.D. Davis, Michael Lorenzen) for the second time in 2013...J.D. Davis' grand slam against the Trojans was the fourth of the year for the Titans and the second of the year for Davis (first at CSU Bakersfield on Feb. 17)…against USC, the Titans overcame a two-run deficit for the fourth the time this season…also vs. USC, Fullerton scored at least five runs in an inning for the eighth time in 2013… the Titans are currently on an eight-game winning streak...the Titans have swept four consecutive weekend series (at Oral Roberts, at Long Beach State, Pacific and at UC Davis) for the first time since 2010 (vs. UC Riverside, at Long Beach State, vs. Santa Clara and vs. Cal State Northridge).

MAKING THE TOP-30: Senior first baseman Carlos Lopez was one of 30 NCAA® baseball student-athletes selected as candidates for the 2013 Senior CLASS Award® in collegiate baseball, it was announced on Feb. 27.

To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence – community, classroom, character and competition.

NICK HURTADO: The Cal State Fullerton baseball program is mourning the loss of teammate Nick Hurtado, who passed away at the age of 21 after a battle with cancer on March 1.

Hurtado, a 2010 graduate of Corona Santiago High School in Corona, Calif., committed the Titans as a senior in the fall of 2009, before his battle with bone cancer began.

Hurtado was a four-year letterwinner for head coach Ty DeTrinidad and the Sharks. Before his senior season began, Hurtado was diagnosed with cancer after being hit by a ball in the knee during the preseason. On March 5, 2010, he made his only appearance of his senior season at Corona Santiago, tossing one pitch (a strike) in the opening game of the 2010 season just days before his treatment was to begin.

The pitcher was finally able to join the Titans for the 2012 season, but sat out the year as his treatment and recovery continued. Due to his illness, he was unable to join the roster in 2013, but made the effort to connect with his teammates at Goodwin Field as often as possible.

Statement from the 2013 Titans

"The world lost and amazing person last night. We will forever remember his genuine love for the people around him, and for life itself. He was the ultimate friend, and we hope we can grow, and be half the person he was. He touched the lives of so many people with his compassion and unyielding positive attitude. He will be in our hearts every single day."

PICKED TO WIN IT: Cal State Fullerton was picked as the favorite to win the 2013 Big West title as selected by the 10 conference head coaches that voted in the Big West Baseball Preseason Coaches Poll, it was released by the league on Jan. 31.

The Titans were voted to defend their Big West title as the program garnered nine of the 10 available first-place votes.

Fullerton, winner of the past three league titles, captured the 2012 league crown with a 17-7 mark, one game ahead of Cal Poly. Fullerton has won 10 conference championships in the Super Regional era (dating back to 1999; 14 years), sharing the titles with Nevada in 2000 and Long Beach State in 2008.

TITANS AND THE BIG WEST: Overall, Cal State Fullerton has totaled 26 conference championships dating back to 1975, including 10 in the last 14 years. With last season's title, the Titans made their 34th postseason appearance as well.

Overall, Cal State Fullerton has posted a dominant 672-235-2 (.741) conference record over 38 seasons. Rick Vanderhook, the school's fifth Div. I head coach, won his first Big West crown in 2012, following in the footsteps of his predecessors, Augie Garrido (14 conference championships), Larry Cochell (1), George Horton (7) and Dave Serrano (3).

A further breakdown has the Titans winning three PCAA conference championships (1975-76, 1987), eight straight SCBA titles (1977-84) and 15 while playing under the Big West name (1990-91, 94-95, 1997, 1999-2001, 2004-06, 2008, 2010-12). The Big West absorbed the PCAA records in 1990 upon its formation, giving the Titans 18 total Big West championships and a 499-189 (.725; 30 years) PCAA/Big West Conference record.

WATCH LIST: Michael Lorenzen was one of 75 players named to the initial watch list for the ninth annual National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Stopper of the Year Award, given to the top relief pitcher in NCAA Division I baseball. Lorenzen was one of two players from the Big West Conference named to the list as UC Irvine's Race Parmenter also made the watch list.

LORENZEN PRESEASON HONORS: Michael Lorenzen returned to the diamond after an All-American season in 2012. Lorenzen received four preseason All-American selections entering 2013. He was projected as the National Player of The Year by Collegiate Baseball, and was named to the 13th annual NCBWA Preseason All-America second team as well as the Perfect Game Preseason College All-American second team. He was also selected to the 2013 Baseball America Preseason All-America second team.

Lorenzen, who garnered All-American honors as well as Big West Conference First Team accolades in 2012, developed into one of the nation's top two-way players, starting 57 games in center field while making 20 appearances on the mound. Lorenzen did not allow a run in 18 of his 20 appearances. He garnered double first-team All-Big West Conference honors as a utility player on offense, and as a closer on the pitching staff. His 16 saves in 17 chances tied him for second in program history with Nick Ramirez (2011) behind only Scott Wright's school record of 22 saves in 1984.

HOME GROWN: Thirty-four men on the Titans' 35-man roster list their hometown within the great State of California. The lone Titan not from the Golden State comes from, where else? Nebraska. Sophomore southpaw Tyler Peitzmeier is from Yutan, Neb., a city about 25 miles east of the Mecca of college baseball, Omaha.

STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE: In 2013, the Titans will play seven opponents that advanced to the 2012 Division I Baseball tournament (Oral Roberts, Pepperdine, Texas A&M, San Diego) three opponents that advanced to the super regionals (Oregon, TCU) and one opponent that advanced to the College World Series (UCLA)…CSF will play four opponents that finished 2012 ranked in Baseball America's Top-25 (No. 5 UCLA, No. 11 Oregon, No. 16 TCU, No. 19 Texas A&M)…six of Fullerton's opponents were ranked in the top-50 of the NCAA's final top-50 2012 RPI ratings (No. 1 UCLA, No. 6 Oregon, No. 16 Texas A&M, No. 29 Pepperdine, No. 31 TCU, No. 36 San Diego )...four of CSF's opponents were also conference champions in 2012: Pepperdine (West Coast), TCU (co-Mountain West), Oral Roberts (Summit), UCLA (Pac-12).

CONTINUED EXCELLENCE: The Titans have won 30-plus games in each of its 38 seasons at the Div. I level and are tied for third in the nation when it comes to most consecutive 30-win campaigns. The only Titan team to win as few as 30 games was the 1989 squad skippered by Larry Cochell. The Titans have never had a losing season at the Div. I level. Fullerton comes in tied for third with Clemson and behind Arizona State and Miami. Pepperdine, which was ranked No. 5, saw its 32-year streak ended in 2010.

Consecutive 30+ win seasons (active)

1. Arizona State 50

2. Miami, Fla. 42

3. Cal State Fullerton 38

Clemson 38

THE ROOKIES: Cal State Fullerton's 2012 class was ranked the No. 23 recruiting class in the nation, according to Baseball America's annual evaluation.

Under second-year head coach Rick Vanderhook and recruiting coordinator Mike Kirby, the Titans have welcomed 13 freshmen to Goodwin Field. Fullerton's 2012 class ranks second amongst Big West Conference opponents as the Gauchos were ranked 12th with 23 newcomers including 19 freshmen and four junior college transfers. The Titans and Gauchos were the only BWC programs to make the top 25.

DRAFT DODGERS: Nine Titans on the current roster have been selected previously in the MLB First-Year Players draft. Carlos Lopez is the only Titan that has been drafted while at Fullerton. He was selected as a redshirt his sophomore year (based on his age), but declined the offer made by the Detroit Tigers in 2010.

TOP 50 FRESHMAN: Ontario, Calif., native Justin Garza was ranked ninth by Baseball America in the publication's evaluation of the top 50 freshmen in college baseball released in early February.

TOP 50 SOPHOMORES: Matt Chapman, 2012 Big West Freshman of the Year, was ranked 18th by Baseball America in the publication's evaluation of the top 50 sophomores in college baseball released in early February. Chapman was also rated by Baseball America as the No. 1 prospect in the Big West Conference for the 2014 MLB Draft. J.D. Davis was considered the fifth-best prospect in the Big West for the 2014 draft.

TOP 50 JUNIORS: All-American Michael Lorenzen was ranked 19th by Baseball America in the publication's evaluation of the top 50 juniors in college baseball released in early February. Lorenzen was also rated by Baseball America as the No. 1 prospect in the Big West Conference for the 2013 draft.

TOP 50 SENIORS: Senior shortstop Richy Pedroza was ranked 45th by Baseball America in the publication's evaluation of the top 50 seniors in college baseball released in early February. Pedroza led the Titans batting .324 in 2012.

FAMILY AFFAIR: The Titans have six players on the 2013 roster that have had family members play for Fullerton in the past:

• Outfielder Anthony Hutting is the cousin of former Titan star and major league outfielder Aaron Rowand (.345, 23 HR, 121 RBI from 1996-98).

• Outfielder Austin Kingsolver's father, Kurt, was a national champion catcher in 1979 (.291, 5 HR, 30 RBI in 1979) and was a teammate of College Baseball Hall of Famer Tim Wallach.

• Catcher Chad Wallach's father, Tim Wallach (.392, 39 HR, 182 RBI), was a national champion, a Golden Spikes Award winner, and a first-round draft pick in 1979. Chad's older brother, and Tim's eldest son, Matt, was also a Titan in 2005 (.255, 5 HR, 28 RBI in 2007) and played first base like his father. Tim is currently entering his third year as the third base coach with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

• And to top it all off… Head Coach Rick Vanderhook has had two nephews, Russ (.500, 0 HR, 0 RBI in 1999) and Cory (.304, 1 HR, 17 RBI in 2006) play in a Titan uniform. Coach Vanderhook, himself, was a player in 1983 and 1984. Cory is currently serving as an administrative assistant.

• Freshman right-hander Joe Navilhon's father (Larry) played at Cal State Fullerton from 1979-1980.

• First baseman Carlos Lopez and right-handed pitcher Michael Lopez are of no relation.

TITANS IN THE BIG LEAGUES: The Titans have had 53 former players make their major leagues debuts since their first products, Dan Whitmer and Tim Wallach, got there in 1980. Most recently, Khris Davis made his debut for Milwaukee on Monday. Erik Komatsu got the call in 2012, taking last year's totals to nine: David Cooper (Toronto), Reed Johnson (Chicago Cubs/Atlanta), Erik Komatsu (St. Louis/Minnesota), Mark Kotsay (San Diego), Brett Pill (San Francisco), Kurt Suzuki (Oakland/Washington), Justin Turner (New York Mets), Vinnie Pestano (Cleveland) and Ricky Romero (Toronto). For the second consecutive year, Romero was named one of 30 nominees for the 2012 Roberto Clemente Award as announced by Major League Baseball. Pestano was named this year's recipient of the Bob Feller Man of the Year Award, as announced by the Cleveland chapter of the Baseball Writers' Association of America. The distinction is bestowed upon the organization's player or executive who consistently performs at the top of his game.